Anti-desiccant Time!
(Via gardenauthor)
No, this is not a Wilt-Pruf® ad, but since a picture is worth a thousand words, it serves as a reminder that this January thaw is the right time to apply, or perhaps reapply, an anti-desiccant, or anti-transpirant. Plants can experience debilitating moisture loss during extremes of heat, cold, high winds and in the transplanting process.
It makes sense that the plants most affected by the cold and harsh winds of winter, are broadleaf evergreens... rhododendron, azalea, andromeda, holly, etc. As the ground freezes, our plants are unable to draw up essential moisture, so the leaves begin to sacrifice stored moisture from their upper and lower stomata, under the winds of winter. Yes, the early and prolonged snow cover this season, does help, but the wise gardener applied an anti-dessicant to broadleaf evergreens and new plantings, last fall. Young trees with thin bark, rose canes and hydrangea stems will also benefit from this preventative measure.
When temperatures are around 40-50º, with no rain in the immediate forecast (foliage needs to dry thoroughly, before any precipitation), we have the ideal application time. Normally, an anti-desiccant is applied in late fall and again during the January thaw. Although Wilt-Pruf® lasts for 3-4 months, the second application is "insurance" well worth the effort, should we experience a harsh, prolonged winter. I particularly like this product, since it is all organic (derived from pine oil) and biodegradable. Read the advice pertaining to juniper, arborvitae, cedar and cypress (they are slow to harden-off and can be damaged by premature application/ I skip these altogether)... and don't spray blue spruce or other "blue" evergreens, whose color is a surface coating - your plants will be green for a while.
So, if you didn't protect those tender landscape specimens last fall, consider this your January reminder. If you did, why not apply a little more insurance?
©2008 Deb Lambert
Photo: Courtesy the Wilt-Pruf® website. For more product information, cultural tips and recommendations, click on Wilt-Pruf Protection
No, this is not a Wilt-Pruf® ad, but since a picture is worth a thousand words, it serves as a reminder that this January thaw is the right time to apply, or perhaps reapply, an anti-desiccant, or anti-transpirant. Plants can experience debilitating moisture loss during extremes of heat, cold, high winds and in the transplanting process. It makes sense that the plants most affected by the cold and harsh winds of winter, are broadleaf evergreens... rhododendron, azalea, andromeda, holly, etc. As the ground freezes, our plants are unable to draw up essential moisture, so the leaves begin to sacrifice stored moisture from their upper and lower stomata, under the winds of winter. Yes, the early and prolonged snow cover this season, does help, but the wise gardener applied an anti-dessicant to broadleaf evergreens and new plantings, last fall. Young trees with thin bark, rose canes and hydrangea stems will also benefit from this preventative measure.
When temperatures are around 40-50º, with no rain in the immediate forecast (foliage needs to dry thoroughly, before any precipitation), we have the ideal application time. Normally, an anti-desiccant is applied in late fall and again during the January thaw. Although Wilt-Pruf® lasts for 3-4 months, the second application is "insurance" well worth the effort, should we experience a harsh, prolonged winter. I particularly like this product, since it is all organic (derived from pine oil) and biodegradable. Read the advice pertaining to juniper, arborvitae, cedar and cypress (they are slow to harden-off and can be damaged by premature application/ I skip these altogether)... and don't spray blue spruce or other "blue" evergreens, whose color is a surface coating - your plants will be green for a while.
So, if you didn't protect those tender landscape specimens last fall, consider this your January reminder. If you did, why not apply a little more insurance?
©2008 Deb Lambert
Photo: Courtesy the Wilt-Pruf® website. For more product information, cultural tips and recommendations, click on Wilt-Pruf Protection
